LAS VEGAS — Knicks president Phil Jackson is trying to sell Lakers free-agent power forward Pau Gasol on the proximity of the United Nations, playing with Carmelo Anthony and extending his career in the triangle offense.

As Jackson awaits official word from Anthony, he’s trying to coax the 7-foot Spaniard to forget about the money and be part of the rich fabric of New York.

A source told The Post new Knicks point guard Jose Calderon also has texted his countryman/friend Gasol several times about joining him in New York.

“Pau knows Jose wants him on the team,’’ the source said.

The Post reported one reason Anthony is close to re-signing is having a shot at the 34-year-old Gasol, who then could recruit his brother, Marc Gasol. The Memphis center is a free agent in 2015 when the Knicks should have plenty of cap space.

Pau, however, would have to take less to play in New York for Jackson, his former coach, and for rookie coach Derek Fisher, Gasol’s former teammate.

“[Gasol] knows what he has here and what is possible,’’ Jackson said during the Knicks summer league practice. “He’d like to play with Carmelo and like to play with a winner. We can’t guarantee that, but with him we can guarantee a much better chance.’’

Jackson indicated he called Gasol on his birthday Sunday to offer best wishes, then sell the Knicks.

“I told him in the right system and right coach, he can probably play a couple of more years,’’ Jackson said. “He got a laugh out of it.’’

The Knicks have only their taxpayer $3.27 million mini mid-level exception to spend. If they deal Amar’e Stoudemire or Andrea Bargnani, they would be granted the full mid-level exception of $5 million.

The Lakers, Bulls, Spurs and Oklahoma City are also in the mix for Gasol.

“We’d like to be in the ballpark on where he’s getting contracts offered,’’ Jackson said. “I anticipate it’s going to be somewhere … $10 million [from the Lakers]. We don’t have that kind of money. We have what Pau needs — the United Nations.’’

Jackson noted Gasol works for the UN, has been the UNICEF ambassador for Spain since 2003 and has worked with humanitarian causes such as helping children in Syria.

“That’s the platform,’’ Jackson said. “Pretty soon he’ll be secretary of the United Nations and his career is headed that way and this is a great platform for you. I don’t know if that’s going to buy him into New York or not, but we’d like him to be here.’’

Jackson sounded pessimistic about clearing out more money for Gasol.

“It might not be possible,’’ Jackson said. “We’ve run around trying to figure out different strategies. But right now we’re pretty much set.’’

Before even having a chance on Gasol, he needs Anthony’s official confirmation on a return. Gasol also has interest in playing with Anthony in Los Angeles and Gasol met with the Lakers Wednesday night.

“We have alternative plans, Plan B, C, D, E, F,” Jackson said. “So far we’re in Plan A — that’s the first kingpin to have in this situation.’’

Jackson said it didn’t feel awkward to him that the Lakers and his fiancée, team president Jeanie Buss, got involved in the pursuit of Anthony.

“We talked about this before,’’ Jackson said. “We’re going to be in a place where there’s players both of us want. And we just have to deal with it, put our best pitch forward. And we accept that. And it’s a part of the game.’’

Lakers legend James Worthy, part of the Lakers’ pitch to Anthony, told Slam Magazine the organization focused a lot on recruiting wife La La Vazquez, though she wasn’t in attendance. The Post reported Vazquez wants Anthony to remain with the Knicks.

“I told Carmelo, I said, ‘I wish your wife were here because she’s more popular than you in Los Angeles,’ ’’ Worthy said. “We’re trying to recruit her, because if you can get La La, Carmelo has no say-so. So, we’re trying to get her to Hollywood. Hollywood is right here. She can do whatever she wants.”

Fisher will make his head-coaching debut and second-rounders Cleanthony Early of Middletown and Thiannis Antetokounmpo of Greece will make their playing debuts Friday at 4 p.m. when the Las Vegas Summer League kicks off with the Knicks facing the Mavericks. MSG Network will telecast the game live with a replay at 9:30 p.m.